As a dog owner, ensuring your dog is protected from ticks is crucial for their health and well-being. Ticks can transmit various diseases such as Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, and ehrlichiosis, making prevention and proper management essential. In this blog post, we’ll cover how to prevent ticks and deal with ticks effectively if they become a problem.
This is what a fully fed tick on a dog looks like ~ gross eh!
Understanding Ticks and Their Risks
Ticks are small, parasitic arachnids that feed on the blood of animals, including dogs. They are commonly found in grassy, wooded, or bushy areas.
Ticks can cause several health issues in dogs:
Lyme Disease: Causes fever, lameness, and joint swelling.
Anaplasmosis: Leads to lethargy, joint pain, and fever.
Ehrlichiosis: Results in fever, weight loss, and bleeding disorders.
Preventing Ticks
1. Regular Tick Checks
Perform regular tick checks, especially after your dog has been outdoors. Focus on areas like the photo below. In the season we perform a tick check on Jako every day.
Our handsome smiley boy!
2. Use Tick Preventatives
Consult your veterinarian to choose the best tick preventative for your dog.
Options include:
Medications: Administered monthly or every three months to kill ticks when they bite.
Tick Collars: Provide long-lasting protection and are effective at repelling and killing ticks.
Big Green Hound have an amazing range of tick repellent collars and explain how a natural approach could help your dog.
Have a look here for a natural approach.
And you browse their range just here.
Please mention us if you decide to purchase from Caroline
3. Avoid Tick-Infested Areas
Limit your dog’s exposure to areas known for high tick populations, such as dense woods and tall grasses, especially during peak tick season (Spring and Autumn).
What if I find a tick on my dog?
If you find a tick on your dog, it is important to remove it immediately. You must be very careful when removing a tick because if you accidentally leave the head in, it could abscess and cause infection. Russ is very confident at removal of ticks but we would refrain from doing so from near the eye and we would consult our vet. Many owners choose a tick removal tool to safely remove a tick. If you are not confident in removing the tick yourself, the best way to ensure safe removal it is to take your dog to the vet and have one of the nurses remove it.
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